Hofstra University Museum of Art: Inspiration: Japanese Woodblock Prints

Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760-1849), Under Mannen Bridge at Fukagawa, from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, Edo period, c. 1830-1831, woodblock print, ink and color on paper, 10 5/16 x 14 13/16 in., Hofstra University Museum of Art, gift of Helen Goldberg, HU2000.8.2

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DAVID FILDERMAN GALLERY

Inspiration: Japanese Woodblock Prints Inspiration is defined as “the process of being mentally

impressionists, such as Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, and

stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do

Vincent van Gogh, many of whom collected the prints.

something creative.” For instance, inspiration emanating

The flattening of pictorial space and simplification of

from one culture and affecting another can be seen in

forms affirmed these artists’ own directions and inspired

Japan’s influence on the West in the late 19th century.

future works of art. An emphasis on nature and landscape

From the end of 16th century until the mid-19th century,

also influenced art nouveau artists.

Japan was unified by a strongly controlled feudal system with a self-imposed policy of isolation. When the severe restrictions on international trade and travel were lifted in 1853, Western markets were most interested in Japanese ceramics and woodblock prints. The expansion of trade with Japan led to the importation of works of art into Europe and America, captivating Western artists who were interested in objects from “exotic” and “primitive” world cultures. Japanese woodblock prints, in particular, became readily available to Western artists.

Japanese woodblock prints continue to inspire artists into the 21st century. Contemporary artists, both Japanese and Western, carry on the traditional printmaking method with their own individual styles and interpretations.

Paul Binnie, a Scottish artist, creates woodblock prints portraying customary Japanese subjects such as Kabuki actors and the landscape. Hiromitsu Takahashi draws inspiration from the world of the Kabuki theater, just as many traditional Japanese artists did, although he uses a stencil printmaking method to create his works. The prints

Japanese woodblock prints, known as Ukiyo-e, grew in

of Kinoshita Taika often focus on Mount Fuji, depicting

popularity during the Edo period (1615-1868). The prints

the national landmark in a variety of atmospheric

typically depict scenes of everyday life, including popular

conditions and perspectives. Nana Shiomi concentrates

recreation and entertainment such as the theater in Edo

on architectural context, showing traditional Japanese

(present-day Tokyo). Actors are seen in character,

interiors in a more modern style, often incorporating the

costumed and on stage, while courtesans are shown at

view from inside to outside. The aesthetic characteristics

their leisure. As the genre developed, the subject matter

of woodblock prints can also be seen in Japanese cinema,

expanded to include landscape vistas and sites

anime, and manga. Manga (comic books and graphic

throughout the country. The relatively inexpensive prints

novels) incorporate the simplification of forms, flat color,

were admired both in Japan and abroad. Woodblock

and bold lines seen in the prints. Originally a Japanese

prints were produced for the common people and

phenomenon, the global proliferation of Japanese video

popular with members of the middle class, such as

games and cartoons has made it a worldwide trend.

merchants and artisans. Government censors periodically restricted dimensions, themes, and materials for the prints. Prints after 1799 were censored to ensure that the subject matter was not immoral or politically subversive.

This exhibition presents a selection of traditional woodblock prints from the permanent collection of the Hofstra University Museum of Art, along with examples of manga on loan from Special Collections at Hofstra

The Japanese woodblock prints had distinctive

University’s Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library. A number

characteristics that differed from Western art. The

of prints by contemporary artists, on loan from The

compositions were asymmetrical, cropped at unusual

Tolman Collection of Tokyo, are included, revealing the

angles, and frequently viewed from an aerial perspective.

continuing influence and inspiration of Japanese

Simplified forms and sparse spaces, with flat planes of

woodblock prints.

color and bold linear outlines, were employed. These differences intrigued Western artists who studied and experimented with them. They became a source of inspiration, specifically, for the impressionists and post-

Karen T. Albert Deputy Director and Chief Curator Hofstra University Museum of Art

EXHIBITION CHECKLIST

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Japanese Woodblock Prints KEISAI EISEN (Japanese, 1790-1848) 1 Fukagawa, from the series One Hundred Famous Places in Edo for Flowers, Edo period, c. 1810-1845 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 14 1/2 x 9 5/8 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Goldberg HU74.05.17 On Japanese Art: A Discourse Delivered at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, May 1, 1863 (frontispiece) Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 14 3/4 x 18 3/4 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Goldberg HU76.07.27

ANDO HIROSHIGE (Japanese, 1797-1858) 2 Hara: Mount Fuji at Morn, from the series Fifty-Three Stations of the Takaido, 1833-1834 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 8 1/2 x 13 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Helen Goldberg HU2004.7.3

Harima Province: Maiko Beach (Harima, Maiko no hama), from the series Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces (Rokujuyoshu meisho zue), 1853-1856 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 13 1/2 x 8 15/16 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Helen Goldberg HU2001.16.1 3 Motoyama, from the series Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido Highway, 1834-1842 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 8 3/4 x 13 3/4 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Helen Goldberg HU2003.8.1 Yokkaichi, from the series Fifty-Three Stations of the Takaido, 1833-1834 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 8 1/2 x 13 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Helen Goldberg HU2004.7.2

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KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI (Japanese, 1760-1849) 4 Mishima Pass in Kai Province (Koshu mishima-goe), from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji, Edo period, c. 1830-1831 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 10 x 14 7/8 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Helen Goldberg HU2003.8.3 5 The Mitsui Shop at Suruga-cho in Edo, from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji, Edo period, c. 1830-1831 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 10 1/4 x 14 3/4 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Helen Goldberg HU2001.16.2 Under Mannen Bridge at Fukagawa, from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, Edo period, c. 1830-1831 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 10 5/16 x 14 13/16 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Helen Goldberg HU2000.8.2

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Contemporary Prints PAUL BINNIE (Scottish, born 1967) 8 Rain Shower (Kosame), 2010 Woodcut 14 5/8 x 4 3/4 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Eleanor Rait HU2017.14

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7 6 Viewing Sunset over Ryogoku Bridge from the Onmaya Embankment, from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji, Edo period, c. 1830-1831 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 10 1/4 x 14 3/4 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Helen Goldberg HU2001.16.3

The Genji Room at Ishiyama Temple (Ishiyama Genji no ma), frontispiece, from the series Lingering Sentiments of a Late Collection of Genji (Genji Goshû yojô), Edo period, c. 1858 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 14 3/4 x 10 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Goldberg HU74.05.20

SHUNKOSAI HOKUSHU (Japanese, active 1802-1832)

UTAGAWA KUNIYOSHI (Japanese, 1798-1861)

7 Actor Nakamura Matsue III as Shizuka no Mae, 1820 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 15 3/8 x 10 1/2 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Goldberg HU74.05.07

The Nuns Gio and Gijo Picking Flowers, from the series Stories of Wise and Virtuous Women, c. 1842 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 13 3/4 x 95/8 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Goldberg HU74.05.11

UTAGAWA KUNISADA (TOYOKONI III) (Japanese, 1786-1864)

UTAGAWA TOYOKUNI (Japanese, 1769-1825)

Bandö Mitsugorö IV as Iwafuji and Nakamura Shikan II as Ohatsu, 1832 (right panel of diptych) Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 14 x 9 5/8 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Goldberg HU74.05.16

Thousand Cherry Trees: Hagino Isaburo as Tadanobu at a farewell performance, c. 1810 Woodblock print, ink and color on paper 14 3/8 x 9 5/8 in.

Hofstra University Museum of Art Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Goldberg HU76.07.19

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HIROMITSU TAKAHASHI (Japanese, born 1959) 9 Desire (MouShu), 2018 Stencil on paper, edition 3/10 19 1/2 x 30 3/8 in.

Courtesy of The Tolman Collection of Tokyo 10 The Two Benevolent Kings (Niou), 2018 Stencil on paper, edition 3/16 19 1/2 x 29 3/8 in.

Courtesy of The Tolman Collection of Tokyo

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Manga ETSUMI HARUKI (Japanese, born 1947)

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13 Jarinko Chie, volume 7 Series published 1978-1997 7 1/4 x 5 in.

Courtesy of Special Collections, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, Hofstra University Manga from the Deep, 2005 Anthology published by Tokyopop 7 1/2 x 5 in.

Courtesy of Special Collections, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, Hofstra University

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REIJI MATSUMOTO Wa Izumi, 2012 Stencil on paper, edition 2/14 32 1/2 x 18 1/2 in.

Courtesy of The Tolman Collection of Tokyo

NANA SHIOMI

(Japanese, born 1938) Galaxy Express 999 (Ginga Tetsudo 999) Original series published 1977-1981 7 x 4 1/2 in.

Courtesy of Special Collections, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, Hofstra University

(Japanese, born 1956) 11 A Room on the Other Shore – Lightning, 2014 Woodblock print on paper, edition 8/30 23 3/4 x 35 in.

Courtesy of The Tolman Collection of Tokyo

KINOSHITA TAIKA (Japanese, born 1957)

SHINJI MIZUSHIMA (Japanese, born 1939) 14 Dokaben, volume 36 Series published 1972-1981 7 x 4 1/2 in.

Courtesy of Special Collections, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, Hofstra University

Shonen Jump, 1984 Anthology published by Shueisha 7 1/2 x 5 in.

Courtesy of Special Collections, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, Hofstra University

AKIRA TORIYAMA (Japanese, born 1955) Dragon Ball, volume 8 (8 of 42), 1984 8 x 5 3/4 in.

Courtesy of Special Collections, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, Hofstra University Dragon Ball, volume 8 (24 of 42), 1984 8 x 5 3/4 in.

Courtesy of Special Collections, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, Hofstra University

MASASHI UEDA (Japanese, born 1947) 15 Kariage-kun, Hon nyara gokko, volume 10, July 19, 1986 8 1/4 x 6 in.

Courtesy of Special Collections, Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, Hofstra University

12 Strawberry Fields Forever 22 B, 2012 Woodblock print, edition 4/30 19 1/2 x 27 3/8 in.

Courtesy of The Tolman Collection of Tokyo Strawberry Fields Forever 36 Y, 2018 Woodblock print, edition 3/30 19 3/4 x 27 1/2 in.

Courtesy of The Tolman Collection of Tokyo

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Funding has been provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.